Why monitor 5G NSA?

This article was originally published on LinkedIn on March 22nd 2021

What is 5G NSA?

Let’s start by just defining the terms for those who do not live and breathe telecom acronyms every data. 5G is the 5th generation of mobile networks which promise much faster speeds, lower latency, and higher device density. NSA stands for non-standalone which means that it requires some help from 4G. In practice what this means is that the radio resources for data get a 5G boost but the core of the network is still using the 4G architecture. This is a stop-gap measure on the road to a wholly 5G network which is referred to as 5G SA (standalone).

Why you should monitor 5G NSA?

Around the world, subscribers are getting the marketing message that 5G is here, that it’s faster and that they should upgrade phones and take advantage of the new capabilities. There is of course some truth to this but many operators are using 5G NSA as the bridge before ‘full’ 5G. To live up to the marketing promises of 5G, 5G NSA should of course be monitored to ensure the best possible experience for subscribers. DSS (dynamic spectrum sharing — where 4G and 5G share the same spectrum) is known, in some instances, to cause some problems where 4G subscribers experience a better service than 5G subscribers. To distinguish between 4G and 5G subscribers will be important to identify quality of experience issues and field those calls from VIPs on their new devices when they are not getting the service and download speeds that they expect.

But this is not only about the VIPs. Network Operators must be able to correctly identify in which scenario from the table above their subscribers are in. Doing so will help them better serve their customers with personalized offers, customer care responses, and investment decisions.

Why we are better at monitoring 5G NSA?

Our solution uses a complex decision algorithm that identifies device status, device capabilities, and network coverage to determine the exact scenario in which the user’s device is in. This allows us to provide a very accurate view of 5G NSA vs LTE quality of experience. We also help network operators identify their potential 5G users who can be incentivized with relevant commercial offers.

Anritsu has worked in the Service Assurance market for more than 20 years. We aim to help all Operators’ teams run efficiently, leveraging automation, and with full visibility across all technologies and services including 5G NSA and SA. Come talk to us about your needs.